Ex-Brighton academy head John Morling named Hong Kong Football Association technical director, Jorn Andersen’s future in doubt
- The 49-year-old, who was sacked by the Premier League club in February 2022, has been hired to ‘elevate the standard of football in Hong Kong’
- But what his areas of responsibility will be and whether he will work alongside or above, or even replace, national coach Andersen is unclear
Hong Kong football bosses have confirmed the surprise appointment of a new technical director, raising further questions over the future of head coach Jorn Andersen.
Ex-Brighton and Hove Albion academy manager John Morling, who was sacked by the Premier League club in February 2022 for what it said was a breach of Covid protocols, has been hired to “elevate the standard of football in Hong Kong”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Football Association hailed the 49-year-old’s arrival and said Morling brought “a wealth of experience in football management and coaching”.
But officials have failed to say what areas the former player development manager for Ireland would have responsibility for, and whether he would work alongside, above or even replace Andersen.
The Norwegian, who is preparing his side for World Cup qualifiers against Uzbekistan, has been seeking an extension to his contract, which runs out in June next year.
As well as guiding the senior side to its first Asian Cup finals appearance since 1968, Andersen took an under-23 team to the semi-finals of the Asian Games, another historic first for the city.
However, football bosses have remained silent over the head coach’s future, and Andersen told the Post “no one [from the FA] is coming to speak with me”.
“With a proven track record in player development and football management, Mr Morling’s expertise will be invaluable to our association as we continue to elevate football standards in Hong Kong,” the HKFA said. “We are confident that his contributions will further strengthen our programmes and initiatives.”
As well as spending a decade with Brighton, during which he helped develop the likes of Evan Ferguson and Jayson Molumby, Morling’s background includes serving as the head of community programme at Peterborough United, as well as coaching at all ages from the under-9s to first team over a 12-year period.
During his time with Ireland, he also managed the U15, U16 and U17 national teams, and after leaving Brighton returned to the FAI as a senior football consultant.
